Health Road Weekly: Internet Healthcare Highlights (May 18, 2015)
Events and Perspectives
Last week, the internet healthcare sector also followed the Cannes vibe, with intensified “struggles.” In addition, several high-value financing rounds were secured. Let’s sort them out together with the Weekly Report editor.
First, as the primary information technologyIT Services Provider Digital China Information Service Takes the Lead in Deploying Oncology Big DataThe team stated that partial results have been achieved in the single-disease modeling for Stage I esophageal cancer. Data collection and analysis for a broader range of tumor types in Phase II are currently underway. Subsequently, a big data platform for oncology will be established to support tumor prevention, diagnosis, treatment, drug development, insurance services, and other related fields.
Pharmaceutical companies’ involvement in building patient–physician communication and chronic disease management platforms has entered a phase of substantive implementation. On May 13, Health Road announced a strategic partnership with Sanofi to jointly establish the first mobile healthcare project targeting chronic disease patients in county-level areas.For details on collaboration, please refer here.
Next are pharmaceutical companiesHybio Pharmaceutical,The company is also sparing no effort in expanding its presence in the internet healthcare sector. After securing the exclusive distribution rights for Pudi Medical’s (Norway) “non-invasive continuous glucose monitoring wristband” in China at the beginning of this year, the company announced a private placement plan last week, proposing to issue no more than 82 million shares at a price of RMB 23.32 per share through a non-public offering.The total amount of funds raised shall not exceed RMB 1.912 billion, to be used for the “Internet + Chronic Disease Management Platform”, marketing network development and product R&D, etc.
Shanghai Pharmaceuticals also announced today that it had signed the “Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement” with JD.com on May 15. The two parties will jointly explore relevant market and business opportunities, establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership across three dimensions: strategy, capital, and operations. According to the cooperation agreement,Shanghai Pharmaceuticals and JD.com will jointly build an online sales platform and offline distribution network for prescription drugs within the scope permitted by national policies.。
In contrast to the “lone wolf” approach adopted by some companies, Alibaba prefers “joining forces for mutual benefit.”
First,Alibaba Group and MSD China Announce Strategic Partnership, the two parties will explore cooperation across a broad spectrum of medical fields, includingCooperation in cloud computing services, including professional medical warehousing, cloud-based data storage for chronic disease management, and health data analytics.. Medical warehousing and logistics is part of Cainiao Network’s nationwide logistics system under Alibaba Group, and this collaboration will mark a step in Cainiao’s establishment of its pharmaceutical logistics infrastructure.
In addition to its focus on the healthcare sector, the partnership between Merck & Co. and Alibaba Group also encompasses cloud computing services, including cloud-based data storage and big data analytics for health. These services are primarily provided by Alibaba Cloud, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group.
Next, Alibaba GroupSigned a strategic cooperation agreement with the Fujian Provincial People's Government last week.In the field of internet healthcare, Fujian Province will leverage Alibaba’s construction experience and technology,Promote the establishment of mobile intelligent platforms for medical consultation and medication purchase, as well as online medical service platforms.. Collaborate with Alipay on services such as medical insurance information inquiry, individual enrollment and premium payment, and online medical insurance payment.
Another point worth noting is that,Alibaba Cloud Partners with the Middle East and North Africa Region Last Week. It signed a cooperation agreement with Meraas Holding, a Dubai-based enterprise, under which the two parties will establish a joint venture to create a new technology company. This entity will provide cloud computing-powered system integration services to businesses and government agencies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Meanwhile, Alibaba Cloud’s seventh data center will also be established in Dubai. This development lays a significant foundation for the future advancement of healthcare.
As the old saying goes, where there is profit, there is competition.
Just as Alibaba entered into a strategic partnership with MSD China and Dubai, the logistics giantSF Express has also successively poached the head of pharmaceutical logistics at Sinopharm Group and related management personnel from Guangzhou Guokong.. Such a rapid entry into the pharmaceutical logistics sector is largely likely aimed at preparing for the emerging trend of “pharmaceutical e-commerce.” In fact, SF Express’s move into pharmaceutical logistics was not an impulsive decision; it had already begun experimenting in this area in 2014, investing in nearly 100 refrigerated trucks and 500 medical temperature-controlled containers, and is currently working to build a comprehensive pharmaceutical logistics system encompassing “trunk-line transportation–warehousing–last-mile delivery.”
As WeChat and Alipay go all out in internet healthcare, the consistently “low-key” Yixin has not been idle either. Last week,Yixin Announces Launch of “Bill Payment” and “Appointment Registration” Services，Among these, the "Appointment Registration" service enables users to schedule appointments online, consult with doctors remotely, and access intelligent triage.
Another figure who has been frequently in the spotlight recently—IBM Watson. As mentioned in the previous morning report, IBM Watson helps cancer patients select the optimal treatment plan based on the genetic fingerprint of their tumors. Recently, IBMwith online psychotherapy startup TalkspaceAgainSuccessful Match, IBM Watson will leverage the latter’s manually generated psychiatrist-matching data, employing machine learning in conjunction with natural language processing and user personality analysis techniques to assist users in decision-making and help physicians formulate optimal treatment plans.
Another piece of good news is that,Google Fit can finally calculate calories with this feature., by accurately entering information such as age, height, and weight on the personal profile page, the app can estimate your daily step count and calories burned. This update not only adds calorie calculation features but also optimizes the user interface to help users better track their physical activity. Additionally, Google Fit introduces new widgets that allow you to monitor your activity status directly from the launcher and on Android Wear devices, which is certainly good news for smartwatches running on the Android platform.
Also: Major Announcement!National-Level Medical Device Procurement Platform to Launch in July
Healthcare Reform
Anhui Unveils New Policies for Standardized Residency Training, with Institutional Framework to Be Completed by 2020:The Anhui Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission, in conjunction with the Development and Reform Commission, the Education Bureau, the Finance Department, and other departments, issued the “Implementation Opinions on Establishing a Standardized Residency Training System in Anhui Province,” requiring the comprehensive establishment of a standardized residency training system by 2020.
National Health and Family Planning Commission Plans to Introduce New Policies to Regulate Internet Healthcare:At a regular press conference held by the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), Song Shuli, spokesperson for the NHFPC, revealed that the country is revising and formulating new policies for the administration of internet-based healthcare. Song stated that to promote the rapid development of internet healthcare, the NHFPC is revising and formulating a new policy titled the Administrative Measures for Internet Medical and Health Information Services. Currently, extensive opinions are being solicited from relevant departments, all sectors of society, and particularly third-party social service platforms.
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Data
Pharmaceutical Companies Are Increasingly Relying on Social Networks:Ogilvy Health World, the world’s largest healthcare communications network, recently released a report summarizing how pharmaceutical companies are currently leveraging social media. The report shows that since 2013, the average number of posts by pharmaceutical companies on Twitter has increased by 530%, while their Twitter follower count has grown by nearly 300%.
Global Annual Sales of Anti-Cancer Drugs Exceed $100 Billion, with Potential for Another 50% Growth Within Four Years:According to a new report from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, annual global sales of anticancer drugs have surpassed $100 billion and could reach $147 billion by 2018.
There are 1 billion smokers and 240 million people with alcohol use disorder worldwide:A new study published in the journal Addiction analyzed addictive disorders. Alcohol use disorder affects nearly 5% of the world’s adult population (240 million people), while over 20% (1 billion people) use tobacco. Data on other drugs, such as heroin and cannabis, are more difficult to obtain; however, comparative estimates suggest that approximately 15 million people worldwide inject drugs.
8 out of 10 U.S. Companies Believe Wearable Devices Will Reshape the Future of Enterprise:According to a survey by Salesforce.com, nearly 8 in 10 U.S. enterprise users of wearable devices believe that wearables will reshape the future of business. More than three-quarters of users have already observed improvements in corporate performance attributable to wearable technology, and 86% of users plan to increase their investment in this area over the next 12 months.
Overseas
Rational Use of Antibiotics:The U.S. government has released a five-year national action plan aimed at significantly reducing the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents. The introduction of this plan has once again brought the rational use of antimicrobials into the spotlight of the global healthcare industry.
New Trends in Drug Approval! FDA to Implement Paperless New Drug Applications:The FDA has officially announced that, by May 5, 2017, most drug applications will be required to be submitted in electronic Common Technical Document (eCTD) format. In addition, Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for commercial clinical studies are also subject to this requirement, although the FDA has extended the deadline for such submissions to May 5, 2018. Non-commercial clinical trial applications are exempt from this mandate. The FDA’s guidance on electronic submissions clearly states that, after the specified deadlines, paper submissions for documents within the scope of this requirement will no longer be accepted.
New Technologies
Toxicological Sciences: New Technologies for Rapid Detection of Carcinogenic Risks from Air Pollutants
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a rapid and efficient technique through their studies to estimate the carcinogenic risk posed to humans by common specific environmental pollutants. By analyzing the immediate genetic responses generated in the skin cells of exposed mice and applying statistical methods, researchers can determine whether these cells will ultimately become cancerous.
Scientists Unveil Card-Based Diagnostic Device and Electronic Skin
At the 4th Elsevier International Conference on Biosensing Technology held in Lisbon, Portugal, a wearable electronic skin capable of measuring heart rate and blood pressure, along with a credit card-sized paper-based diagnostic device able to analyze blood and saliva samples, were unveiled.
High-Tech Bras: Real-Time Health Monitoring
The smart T-shirts and sports bras developed by the UK-based company SmartLife integrate conductive yarns into straps that are sewn onto specific areas of the garments, functioning as sensors to monitor the wearer’s heart rate and respiratory rate.
Zami Smart Stool with Built-in Sensors Helps You Maintain Proper Sitting Posture
Dutch startup Zami Life has developed a sensor-equipped stool designed to promote better sitting posture. Featuring an arched design, it intentionally encourages users to shift their bodies periodically while seated. This design is said to help maintain the spine’s optimal curvature.
Capital
